1
as in devastating
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
just the thought of how much work there is to do overwhelms me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in flooding
to cover with a flood
that spring the massive runoff from melting snows overwhelmed the valley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in overpowering
Related Words
2
as in crushing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
3
as in staggering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of overwhelming
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
The overwhelming evidence against Netanyahu has led legal experts to predict a likely conviction.
—Daoud Kuttab, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Some popular online sites might be difficult to access or overwhelming for some age groups to navigate, but a physical card for a physical store could be a better fit.
—Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Verb
The community was rallying to a degree that was heartening, if at times overwhelming: first the flood, now the flood of donations.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
The overwhelming evidence against Netanyahu has led legal experts to predict a likely conviction.
—Daoud Kuttab, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Adjective
White corn is particularly popular among craft distilleries, as the mild flavor of its whiskeys allows other mash bill components, such as rye or barley, and the influence of barrel aging to shine without overwhelming the palate.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Some popular online sites might be difficult to access or overwhelming for some age groups to navigate, but a physical card for a physical store could be a better fit.
—Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelming
Verb
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The race is technically nonpartisan but has become a de facto partisan contest, with millions of dollars flooding in from billionaire donors and outside special interest groups.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Mar. 2025
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And in so doing, that familiar feeling of hope and optimism has come flooding back for Bears fans, who just three months ago were again left downtrodden and dejected during an abysmal 10-game losing streak.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The lightning coursed a staggering 515 miles across the southern United States—travelling all the way from eastern Texas to near Kansas City, Missouri.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
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The tariff on Scotch whisky, a major U.K. export, will be cut from a staggering 150% to 75% on the first day of the agreement and will be phased down to 40% over the next decade.—
Ganesh Rao,
CNBC,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
The irresistible attraction of natural gas is a money trap and a death trap.—
Christine Feely,
Hartford Courant,
23 July 2025
-
Nestled in a warm, soft pretzel bun, this bold creation features a juicy beef patty surrounded by a bubbling pool of molten fondue cheese—rich, creamy, and irresistible.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
In his short stint in Scranton, that number has come down a hair, but still resides at an unacceptable 29.4%.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
-
Mistakes should not be viewed as failures or unacceptable setbacks, but rather as calculated risks—necessary steps in the iterative journey of progress.—
Davide Sartini,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Brabus limits that stupendous torque to 1050Nm (774 lb-ft) in the production car to preserve the powertrain and minimize wheelspin.—
Michael Taylor,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
-
Truth surfaces, if at all, decades later, when secrets may be declassified too late to redress the stupendous harm in the interim.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
24 July 2025
Verb
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The younger of the two, Bella, is unscathed; her sister had jumped into a pool to rescue her and ended up drowning herself.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner released its official report on Carter's death on April 18, 2023, attributing his cause of death to drowning after inhaling difluoroethane and taking alprazolam, the generic form of brand-name Xanax.—
Johnny Dodd,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The tents are overrun by mosquitoes and other large insects, subjecting people to frequent and painful insect bites.—
Steve Bousquet,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 July 2025
-
Some people will also get deeper nodules and cysts that are painful or tender to the touch.2 Ice can be very effective at alleviating pain and reducing inflammation.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
The Cubs were always going to be a far more formidable opponent than the Nationals and Rockies, against whom the Red Sox collected the first six of their 10-game win streak before the All-Star break.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
20 July 2025
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This year promises to be quite a battle between the two formidable opponents, as Erwin Hymer brands have previewed gorgeous new launches like the Bürstner Signature and Dethleffs E.Home Eco.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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